Microsoft Naija Security Group

1Purpose

Our community exists to create a safe, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment for everyone interested in cloud security, cybersecurity, compliance, governance, and related Microsoft technologies. We encourage learning, networking, mentorship, innovation, and professional growth.

All members, leaders, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, and participants are expected to follow this Code of Conduct in all community spaces, including meetings, events, online platforms, social media groups, workshops, and conferences.

2Community Principles

Our community principles define how we behave, collaborate, and make decisions. These principles guide our actions and ensure consistency across all interactions.

2.1 Integrity & Professionalism

Avoid misleading claims or unverified technical assertions
Respect intellectual property and give proper credit
Be honest and transparent in all interactions

2.2 Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

Support beginners and encourage questions
Give helpful feedback without belittling others
Promote teamwork and community growth

2.3 Respect & Inclusivity

Avoid discrimination, harassment, or offensive behavior
Treat every member with respect, dignity, and fairness, regardless of background, experience level, or perspective

2.4 Ethical Security Practices

Do not share customer or organizational sensitive data
Promote responsible disclosure
Avoid enabling harmful or malicious activities

3Expected Behavior

A summary of what we ask of everyone in the community, alongside what is not tolerated (see Section 4).

Expected

Treat others with respect and professionalism
Be open to diverse viewpoints
Share knowledge responsibly
Respect privacy and confidentiality
Follow community and event guidelines

Not Tolerated

Harassment, bullying, or intimidation
Discrimination or hate speech
Abusive or offensive language
Disruptive or unethical activity
Breach of privacy or misrepresentation

4Unacceptable Behavior

The following behaviors are not tolerated within the community, during events, meetings, online discussions, or any community-related activities.

4.1 Harassment and Bullying

Intimidating, threatening, or targeting members
Repeated unwanted messages or contact
Public humiliation or personal attacks
Mocking, insulting, or belittling others

4.2 Discrimination and Hate Speech

Racist, sexist, or discriminatory remarks
Offensive jokes or comments about identity or background
Hate speech directed at individuals or groups
Excluding others based on personal characteristics

4.3 Abusive or Offensive Language

Use of vulgar, aggressive, or inappropriate language
Verbal abuse during meetings or discussions
Hostile arguments intended to provoke conflict
Posting offensive or inappropriate content

4.4 Disruptive Behavior

Interrupting speakers repeatedly
Spamming chats, channels, or platforms
Deliberately derailing discussions or events
Creating unnecessary conflict within the community

4.5 Unethical Cybersecurity Activities

Sharing malware, harmful scripts, or malicious tools
Encouraging illegal hacking or unauthorized access
Promoting cybercrime or unethical behavior
Attempting to compromise community systems or platforms

4.6 Breach of Privacy or Confidentiality

Sharing private conversations without consent
Posting confidential information from employers or members
Recording meetings or events without permission
Doxxing or exposing personal information

4.7 Abuse of Leadership or Authority

Misusing leadership privileges or influence
Favoritism or unfair treatment of members
Retaliation against members who raise concerns
Making decisions without fairness or transparency

4.8 Misrepresentation and Dishonesty

Impersonating another person or organization
Providing false information intentionally
Claiming ownership of another person's work
Misrepresenting qualifications, certifications, or experience

4.9 Inappropriate Conduct During Events

Disrespectful behavior toward speakers or organizers
Excessive disruption during meetings or sessions
Ignoring event guidelines and instructions
Any behavior that makes others feel unsafe or uncomfortable

4.10 Damage to Community Reputation

Public actions that intentionally harm the community's image
Spreading false rumors about members or leaders
Using the community name for unauthorized activities
Engaging in conduct that conflicts with community values and ethics

5Leadership Commitment

Community leaders are expected to actively support and participate in the growth and management of the community. Consistent absence without communication affects the effectiveness of the leadership team and the community as a whole.

5.1 Leadership Responsibilities

Model professionalism, inclusivity, and ethical behavior
Clearly communicate community guidelines and expectations
Foster a welcoming and psychologically safe environment
Moderate discussions and enforce rules fairly and consistently
Protect participant privacy and handle sensitive information responsibly
Ensure content shared aligns with security best practices and integrity

5.2 Mandatory Meeting Attendance

Leaders are expected to attend all mandatory leadership meetings (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly syncs), be punctual and prepared, actively participate in discussions and decision-making, and stay informed on community updates, plans, and responsibilities.

If a leader is unable to attend a meeting: notify the community lead/coordinator in advance with a valid reason, share a handover/update on any assigned responsibilities, and review meeting outcomes afterward to stay aligned.

Missed meeting policy

Failure to attend meetings without prior communication is considered a breach of leadership responsibility, and is handled through the following escalation:

1

1st missed meeting — no noticeReminder and awareness discussion
2

2nd missed meetingFormal warning and expectation reset
3

3rd missed meetingRemoval from leadership position if there is no improvement or communication

6Speaker & Contributor Responsibilities

Speakers, panelists, and contributors must:

Share content that is accurate, relevant, and appropriate
Avoid disclosing confidential organizational information or client/employer-sensitive data
Clearly state when expressing personal opinions versus factual information
Acknowledge when unsure and avoid speculation

7Reporting & Incident Handling

If you experience or witness inappropriate behavior, report it to a community leader or moderator, and provide relevant details (what, when, where, who).

Reviewed	All reports will be reviewed promptly
Confidential	All reports will be handled confidentially
Fair	All reports will be addressed fairly

8Violation of Community Rules

To maintain a safe and respectful environment, violations of the community rules may result in disciplinary action depending on the severity of the offense.

Minor Violations

Warning and guidance on community guidelines
Monitoring and follow-up

Major Violations

Harassment, discrimination, or data misuse
Immediate removal from event/platform
Escalation to relevant authorities if required by law or safety concerns

Community Code of Conduct